“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).

Those words from the apostle Paul are extremely powerful, especially when we look at the events surrounding Jesus’ last days on earth. A devotional called The Way of the Cross gives us a vivid description of Jesus’ last days on earth, from standing before Pilate to being laid in the tomb. Two years ago, we were forced into doing this devotional via Zoom, and while I thought it would lose its power, I was wrong! As Paul put it: The message…is the power of God.

We are incapable of understanding the depth of Jesus’ unconditional love for us because we are incapable of offering it ourselves. Would we really die for someone? Of course, we wouldn’t! But one day, we will understand such love, and the joy we will experience by His side, will have no comparison…and it will surely be a time where no words can express the experience.

I am grateful for the pictures and prayers we have to remind us of what unconditional love looks like. And I am especially grateful when Lent is over so I can refocus on our Risen Savior. What He went through is always there but following repentance and forgiveness we too can count on the words, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

About the author: Previously the priest at St. Francis of Assisi in Lake Placid for 21 years, Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is now the Priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.